Toyota Corolla Cross 2025 review: GXL Hybrid FWD long-term | Part 3

Should you buy a Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid as your family car? 

I answered that question myself back at the end of 2022 when I bought one as my family chariot. 

I chose the GXL 2WD Hybrid, the same variant I have been driving the past three months, albeit the refreshed version provided by Toyota Australia.

It is unquestionably the sweet spot in the range, all-wheel drive is nice to have but the circa-$3000 premium for all-paw grip is a bit steep. 

The GXL 2WD is thrifty with fuel, reasonably priced, packed with safety gear, has a practical cabin and is extremely cheap to run, as we have covered in previous instalments of our long term test.

The game has changed a little since 2022, though. MG's new ZS with hybrid power is selling up a storm, and the new Hyundai Kona is now Australia's best-selling compact SUV and is available with petrol-electric power.

The Kona poses the biggest challenge to the Corolla Cross, it is extremely frugal on petrol and has a bigger cabin and handy cargo space. The Kona is also very well equipped but a bit funky looking in this tester's eyes.

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Is this the ultimate cost of living car, that costs less than nearly every other car to keep on the road with low fuel bills and cheap servicing. ⛽️ Uses 4.2L/100km ⛽️ Only needs E10 ⛽️ Can cost less than $50 to fill up ⛽️ Only $255 a service #Toyota #CorollaCross #SUV #hybrid #car #carsguide #fyp

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A new Mitsubishi ASX - which is based on the European Renault Captur - is due this year and is expected to have hybrid punch.

Nissan’s Qashqai has its stellar e-Power hybrid tech, but you’ll pay for the premium of the UK-built standout.

The point is, Toyota no longer has the hybrid game to itself like it did just a few years ago. Buyers wanting petrol-electric oomph can’t just default to the Japanese giant as they now have an array of quality and well-priced alternatives to consider.

So has Toyota done enough to justify your spend?

It comes back to Toyota strengths. Servicing is extremely cheap at $255 a visit, and its massive dealer network makes it easy to drop in wherever you are. 

I’ve travelled about 1000km in this loan car, but have done more than 20,000km in my mechanically identical version, and fuel use of sub-5.0L/100km is absolutely achievable if you live in the city.

And it can run on the E10 or 91 RON fuel, instead of pricey premium petrol of some other hybrids.

Toyota has built a hard-earned reputation for no-nonsense reliability, and there is no reason to think the Corolla Cross is any different as no reports have come across our desk since the vehicle’s launch date several years ago.

We had no incidents during our three-month loan, aside from a rogue crow tearing off the rubber from one of the wiper blades.

It’s not the sharpest machine out here, but it's a compact SUV so let’s get real, it’s not supposed to be a hot hatch.

It is a fair step forward in how it drives compared to Toyotas past, with nicely weighted steering that gives decent feedback, well-sorted suspension that irons out bumps and lumps along the way and its safety tech is very well calibrated and doesn’t bing and bong incessantly like some newer rivals.

2025 Toyota Corolla Cross GXL Hybrid FWD. (Image: Dom Tripolone)

Its equipment list does feel a little sparse at this price and the jump to the Atmos is too steep to gain items such as heated front seats and a fully digital driver display.

The low-res reversing camera is a bit low rent too, and should be better.

Space is adequate inside but as mentioned in a previous test, a baby capsule has pushed front seat passenger leg room to the limit.

Acquired: January, 2025

Distance travelled this month: 389km

Odometer: 1065km

Average fuel consumption this month: 5.0L/100km (measured at the pump)